The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[Ealasaid]

"Where do you two hail from?" asked Aleia.

"My friend Gilly is from Bywater," answered Benia. "But, as for where I hail from, I would have to say the wider world. I was born in the desert and have been back many times since, but my home is wherever I happen to lay down my pack." She smiled warmly. "But a wandering hobbit! That is a rarity! How do you find the world has treated you on your travels?"

Before Aleia had a chance to respond, Gilly came bustling back from the kitchen, carrying two plates of food, closely followed by Ruby Brown with their cutlery and mead. Thanking Ruby for her assistance, Gilly arranged the supper on the table for herself and Benia. "Here we go!" she said happily. "Now that didn't take long, did it?"

"Not at all!" agreed Benia. "I find myself in your debt again. The next meal we share together, I must insist that you allow me to fetch it! I am beginning to feel like a spoiled Lady of the Court rather than just a dusty vagabond." She smiled again, a bit rogueishly this time. The firelight sparkled against the silver coins of her facial jewelry, giving her a mysterious and not altogether respectable - by hobbit standards - look. She dropped Gilly a quick wink.

"Aleia of Tookland was just about to tell us of her travels," she informed Gilly. "I was curious to know how the wide world treats a traveling hobbit."

"Oh, marvelous!" Gilly responded. "Having done so little traveling myself, I would be very interested to hear it. Please -" she addressed Aleia. "Do go on!"

Aleia, again, opened her mouth to speak, but the voice they heard next was not the voice of a hobbit. A young elflady had appeared alongside the table's one empty chair. It was she who spoke next. "My name is Melcirial," she said softly. "And I wonder if maybe I could join you?"

Ever the proper hostess, Gilly nodded pleasantly and gestured to the empty chair. "Welcome, Melcirial! Do pull up a chair. Have you eaten supper yet? We were just beginning ours, but I'm sure if we step lightly, we can procure another plate."

"Of course, we can. Do make yourself comfortable," rejoined Benia. "I am called Benia Nightshade. These good hobbits are Gilly Banks of Bywater and Aleia - Took, I presume? - of Tookland."